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Friday, September 28, 2012

Classifying Systems of Linear Equations.

I set my students to work today on a sorting activity for systems of linear equations. Systems is a review topic from Algebra I, but a topic that still gives many of them trouble. I gave the students this paper to cut apart:

After a few minutes of cutting, I gave them this chart onto which they pasted the vocabulary and examples after solving the systems on the reverse of the paper.

They ended up with a chart like this one.

What worked well: The students were able to self-check because they knew there would be two of each type of system. Since there were 6 graphs, the students had a couple of opportunities to practice the solutions to each kind of system.

What needs improvement: I should have labeled the systems and graphs with A-F prior to copying the sheets; I had the kids do the labels instead. The kids complained that the graph paper was too small, though most of them managed just fine.

UPDATE 1/6/13: The files shown below are available for download as a pdf. I've marked the graphs and systems A-F as indicated above. Thanks for visiting!

About Me

High school math specialist learning how to be an instructional coach to my team of 9 math teachers. Former 8th grade math and French teacher. Interactive Notebooks guru and novice website builder. NBCT in early adolescence/mathematics. Youth Ministry leader, 1951 Cape Cod dweller, and gardener in my spare time. Better known as @iisanumber.